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Sivananda Ashram is a place for sadhana (spiritual practice)
preferred by aspirants from all over the world. Everyone - whether a beginner
or a very advanced level sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) - has found this
Ashram as an ideal place for sadhana, a place highly charged with the
spiritual vibrations. Any person who wants to pursue sadhana as per his
pre-planned sadhana programme with advance intimation is given permission
to stay for a some days, if accommodation is available, without any discrimination
with regards to caste, religion, country, social/economic status, etc.
What has contributed to such a wonderful spiritual atmosphere?
Several factors, such as:
1. Sivananda Ashram is situated in the foothills of Himalaya
on the right bank (which is considered to be very sacred) of holy Ganga.
This brings in some divine splendour as the background.
2. According to mythology, the pot containing the Divine
Nectar was put on the bank of Ganga at Haridwar. The Divine Nectar sprinkled
around covering this Ashram area as well, leaving Divine vibrations permanently.
3. The name Rishikesh was given to this place because
Hrishikesh (Lord Krishna) gave here His admonitions to Uddhava. This Uddhava
Gita (book XI, Ch. 6-29) is a top jewel not only of Srimad Bhagavatam,
but also of the entire gamut of Indian philosophy.
4. Lord Rama's brother Laxman had practised the most
intense austerities for twelve years here (at a place only 150 meters
from the Ashram).
5. This area on the outskirts of Rishikesh is known as
Muni-ki-reti, - Muni (sage), ki (of) and reti (sand) - indicating that
here on the sands of Ganga bank sages practise austerities and sadhana.
6. During the intense sadhana period (1024-34) of Swami
Sivananda, the Ashram area was a hilly jungle and here (at the site of
Vishwanath Temple); he used to practise meditation and had attained transcendental
Experience. Also, after the Ashram was established, many sages have done
sadhana here and are still doing.
There are many buildings on the slope of a hill making
it possible to have a view of Himalaya and Ganga from most of the buildings
and even from good many rooms as well. The construction is done economically
to provide moderate accommodation providing basic requirements to sincere
sadhakas. A visitor must inform well in advance his programme to the General
Secretary, The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, PIN: 249 192 Uttaranchal,
India or through Fax 0135-442046 or E-mail: dlshq@sancharnet.in generalsecretary@dlshq.org,
Website: www.dlshq.org. The decision about whether the application should
be approved or rejected and for what duration the visitor would be permitted
to stay is solely the discretion of the General Secretary. The visitor
should confirm his visit to the Reception-in-charge (ph: 0135-430040)
and contact him on his visit.
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